A Christmas Carol (1984) (TV)

Director:

Clive Donner

Writers:

Roger O. Hirson (screenplay) and
Charles Dickens (short story)

Release Date:

17 December 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy

Tagline:

A new powerful presentation of the most loved ghost story of all time!

Plot:

An old miser who makes excuses for his uncaring nature learns real compassion when 3 ghosts visit him on Christmas Eve.

Plot Keywords:

Christmas | Ghost | Miser | Christmas Eve | Future

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy.

Cast

George C. Scott	...	Ebenezer Scrooge
Frank Finlay	...	Marley's Ghost
Angela Pleasence	...	Ghost of Christmas Past
Edward Woodward	...	Ghost of Christmas Present
Michael Carter	...	Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
David Warner	...	Bob Cratchit
Susannah York	...	Mrs. Cratchit
Anthony Walters	...	Tiny Tim
Roger Rees	...	Fred Holywell / Narrator
Caroline Langrishe	...	Janet Holywell
Lucy Gutteridge	...	Belle
Nigel Davenport	...	Silas Scrooge
Mark Strickson	...	Young Scrooge
Joanne Whalley	...	Fan
Timothy Bateson	...	Mr. Fezziwig

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English | Portuguese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

UK:U

Filming Locations:

Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, UK

Company:

Entertainment Partners Ltd.

Trivia:

Pat Keen, Rebecca Saire, Basil Henson and Richard Huw were interviewed for parts.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: The string holding up the Spirit of Christmas Past's bell is briefly visible when she removes her hand from above it in the first scene with Scrooge. The bell shakes and wobbles perceptibly (as the string is slightly moved) throughout the scene.

Quotes:

Mr. Pemberton: [at the exchange] ... Ah, Ebenezer. We were afraid you wouldn't come.
Mr. Tipton: It's about to close, Sir.
Ebenezer Scrooge: Well, I'm here, aren't I?
Mr. Pemberton: Good. You'll take our bid, then?
Mr. Tipton: I take it you've changed your mind.
Ebenezer Scrooge: Yes, I have changed my mind. The price has gone up.
Mr. Pemberton: Gone up? But that's impossible!
Ebenezer Scrooge: If you want my corn, gentlemen, you'll meet the price I quoted yesterday... plus five percent interest for the delay.
Mr. Tipton: That's outrageous, Scrooge. You'll be left with a warehouse stuffed full of corn!
Ebenezer Scrooge: Well, that's my affair, isn't it?
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Queer Duck: The Movie (2006) (V)

My favourite version of a classic tale

I know many people have a special fondness for the Alistair Sim version of Dickens' story, but for me, this 1984 version is the one to beat. My wife and I own a copy of this film on VHS, and we watch it together every Christmas Eve. I often remark that we could watch it on Halloween too, because it's a very creepy ghost story.

Scott--typecast as Scrooge--is shudderingly mean and nasty, making his transformation all the more miraculous and moving. I think it's up there with his performance in Patton. The spirits are all effective, each one creepier than the last. Watching the dark, floating, skeletal form of the Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come sends shivers down my spine every year. And what a supporting cast! David Warner, in particular, is in top form as Bob Cratchit, as is Susannah York as his wife.

I seem to recall that this version sticks closer to the original story than most others--but I may be mistaken, as it's been several years since I read it. Regardless, this is a terrific Christmas classic.